I wish to make a point regarding matters in the House this morning about which the Fianna Fáil Front Bench is anxious. The Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party discussed the matter during the morning. We are very anxious to have an orderly and useful debate this afternoon and tomorrow. As I said this morning, we do not have any argument concerning the fact that the questions to be taken today, about ten in my name and others in the name of the Progressive Democrats, are not on the Order Paper. I understand the Chair's ruling on that and I do not challenge it, as that would not be my form or that of my colleagues. I understood that when those questions were ruled out of order on the basis that the debate was about to commence, they would form part of it, but we know from exchanges this morning that the questions tabled will not form part of it. In the question and answer session tomorrow the person who is accountable and answerable to this House for the Attorney General and central to this matter will not form part of the debate and a committee of inquiry will not follow up the matter at the end of the debate, even though the eminent gentlemen who spent their weekends working on this matter suggested that——
Questions—Ceisteanna.
I am sorry to intervene Deputy Ahern, but as the Deputy well knows the matter before the House, that of questions, is laid down very clearly and distinctly in our Standing Orders and shall commence at this time, 2.30 p.m. It is unprecedented that there should be any questions put to the Chair or any attempt to disrupt the proceedings at this time. I am very concerned about that matter. I must ask that if the Deputy has a view to express, it be expressed at some other time. There will be ample time during the debate to which he referred and the questions and answers at that time. The matter can be dealt with in another way, by way of the Whips' meeting or some such negotiations, but I cannot allow a disruption at this time. It is unprecedented.
A Cheann Comhairle——
I must ask, therefore, that I be allowed to proceed with questions to the Taoiseach.
The difficulty is that the questions I tabled to the Taoiseach are not on the Order Paper.
I am calling question No. 1.
On a point of order——
If Members of this House will not allow me to adhere strictly to Standing Orders at this time, I will leave the House.
We are not stopping the Chair.
Is this not an obstruction?
We have been trying for the past three hours hoping that the Government Whip——
The Deputy can decide that matter some other way, but I must now be allowed to proceed with questions to the Taoiseach or I will leave the House.
There is no other way.
Will the Taoiseach not take this opportunity to adjourn the House with a view to the Whips meeting to try to resolve this matter?
No. The Taoiseach will now take the opportunity to answer Question No. 1.